Talking Points....
Connect Fellowship 9/23/2025
This week’s group discussion will focus on Pastor Doug’s encouragement from One Big Night of Praise and Prayer, "Bold Faith Prayer."
I. Bold Faith Prayer
A. God honors bold faith prayers.
1. Joshua 10:12&13 - On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said,
“Let the sun stand still over Gibeon,
and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.
Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.
2. It can feel irresponsible to pray like this.
3. Certain prayers might make us feel like, if we pray and nothing happens, it is a check on our testimony, so we may pull back.
4. When we find ourselves feeling this way regarding praying for something, what can we change?
B. Pray like a juggernaut.
1. A juggernaut is a huge powerful and overwhelming force.
2. David prayed like one when he faced a giant.
3. Elijah prayed like one, and was able to both start and end a three year drought.
a. James 5:17 - Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!
4. Share a time when you prayed like a juggernaut, with a huge and powerful force, and what happened.
C. Prayer is your highest appeal, not your last resort.
1. Prayer should be the first thing we do, not the last.
2. What are things that we can do to remind ourselves to to turn to prayer first?
D. When we seek the Lord together, it multiplies our power.
1. This is one of the reasons that we gather together for times like One Big Night of Praise and Prayer.
2. Matthew 18:19-20 - “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
3. Why do you think that praying in unity with others multiplies its power?
E. Always remember that prayer is a conversation in the court of a king.
1. When we pray, we need to remember who we are speaking to.
2. God is not our bestie, buddy, or bro.
3. He is the King of kings and the Creator of the universe.
4. Have you ever found yourself not giving God proper respect during prayer? What are things you changed or need to change to show Him proper respect?
F. Build your prayer on the solid foundation of God's grace.
1. Because of grace, He has given us the audacity to come boldly to the throne of grace.
2. How has God's grace helped you to pray more boldly?
G. Align your prayers and attitude with God's agenda, not your own.
1. Luke 22:42 - “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
2. Have you ever prayed a prayer similar to this one Jesus prayed? How did praying this way help you and/or your situation?
H. Don't always pray for God to make things better. Pray for Him to make you bolder.
1. Often, God wants to change us before He changes our situation.
2. Share a time when you were going through something where God was looking to change you, either before or instead of your situation.
I. If you are going to ask, be prepared to act.
1. Patience is not just sitting back waiting for a response.
2. Patience means steadfastness, constancy, endurance.
3. We need to patiently and steadfastly wait for the manifestation.
4. What things can we do to increase our patience and readiness to act?
J. Reflection time.
1. What stood out to you with this encouragement from Pastor Doug on, "Bold Faith Prayer?"
This week’s group discussion will focus on Pastor Doug’s encouragement from One Big Night of Praise and Prayer, "Bold Faith Prayer."
I. Bold Faith Prayer
A. God honors bold faith prayers.
1. Joshua 10:12&13 - On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said,
“Let the sun stand still over Gibeon,
and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.
Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.
2. It can feel irresponsible to pray like this.
3. Certain prayers might make us feel like, if we pray and nothing happens, it is a check on our testimony, so we may pull back.
4. When we find ourselves feeling this way regarding praying for something, what can we change?
B. Pray like a juggernaut.
1. A juggernaut is a huge powerful and overwhelming force.
2. David prayed like one when he faced a giant.
3. Elijah prayed like one, and was able to both start and end a three year drought.
a. James 5:17 - Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!
4. Share a time when you prayed like a juggernaut, with a huge and powerful force, and what happened.
C. Prayer is your highest appeal, not your last resort.
1. Prayer should be the first thing we do, not the last.
2. What are things that we can do to remind ourselves to to turn to prayer first?
D. When we seek the Lord together, it multiplies our power.
1. This is one of the reasons that we gather together for times like One Big Night of Praise and Prayer.
2. Matthew 18:19-20 - “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
3. Why do you think that praying in unity with others multiplies its power?
E. Always remember that prayer is a conversation in the court of a king.
1. When we pray, we need to remember who we are speaking to.
2. God is not our bestie, buddy, or bro.
3. He is the King of kings and the Creator of the universe.
4. Have you ever found yourself not giving God proper respect during prayer? What are things you changed or need to change to show Him proper respect?
F. Build your prayer on the solid foundation of God's grace.
1. Because of grace, He has given us the audacity to come boldly to the throne of grace.
2. How has God's grace helped you to pray more boldly?
G. Align your prayers and attitude with God's agenda, not your own.
1. Luke 22:42 - “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
2. Have you ever prayed a prayer similar to this one Jesus prayed? How did praying this way help you and/or your situation?
H. Don't always pray for God to make things better. Pray for Him to make you bolder.
1. Often, God wants to change us before He changes our situation.
2. Share a time when you were going through something where God was looking to change you, either before or instead of your situation.
I. If you are going to ask, be prepared to act.
1. Patience is not just sitting back waiting for a response.
2. Patience means steadfastness, constancy, endurance.
3. We need to patiently and steadfastly wait for the manifestation.
4. What things can we do to increase our patience and readiness to act?
J. Reflection time.
1. What stood out to you with this encouragement from Pastor Doug on, "Bold Faith Prayer?"